TALISAY CITY, Negros Occidental – President Benigno S. Aquino III stressed the need to continue his administration's reforms after he steps down in 2016 as the Liberal Party (LP) strengthens its forces with the addition of 230 members in the province.

Aquino, who spoke at the orientation and oath-taking rites of LP members at the Nature's Village Resort here Saturday, said his administration will work to effect changes to make life better for the future generations of Filipinos.

During the event, he was joined by LP stalwarts Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Senator Franklin Drilon, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, and House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada, and Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel of Akbayan partylist.

Picking up from his speech at the annual meeting of Asian Development Bank, Aquino discussed the alleged corrupt practices of the previous administration and acknowledged that six years won't be enough for reforms to take place.

"Let's admit it, can we solve all these problems in six years?" he asked.

Aquino, however, noted the gains of his administration particularly in disaster response, rice production, and anti-poverty program.

He said the country will not only be self-sufficient in rice supply by 2013 but will also start exporting rice by then, and the conditional cash transfer program now benefits three million families from only 800,000 families in the previous administration.

Aquino said they have talked to groups who asked him who will continue these reforms after he steps down in 2016.

"May mga grupo tayong nakakausap at natutuwa sila sa nangyayari tapos nagtatanong sila: Una, paano raw natin matitiyak na 'yung nangyayari sa ngayon magpapatuloy pagbaba ko sa 2016?"

He said the second question is, if there is someone he is preparing to succeed him and continue the reforms.

"'Yung pangalawa tinatanong sa akin, 'may hinahanda ka na bang papalit sa'yo at magpapatuloy niyan?"

Aquino said it would be sad if, after the Filipinos have experienced the change they aspire under his administration, things will go back to the way it was before.

He told the newly-sworn in LP members they have joined the right political party if they believe there will be change in country's current situation when they work together.

"And while we work together, the next generation will probably have to sacrifice less," he added.

Aquino, the LP chairman, witnessed the oath-taking rites for the LP members in Negros Occidental, including 36 elected municipal and city officials, and seven party district chairpersons, administered by Roxas, LP president.

During his arrival, the President was welcomed by Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., Third District congressman and LP provincial chairman Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, and Talisay City Mayor Eric Saratan.*NLG